A new review shows that access to healthy food is a major factor in kidney disease. Researchers found that people who struggle to find or afford nutritious foods are more likely to develop kidney problems. The study looked at how money, neighborhood, and culture all play a role in what people eat and how it affects their kidneys. The good news? When communities work together to make healthy food easier to get, people’s kidney health improves. This research highlights why fixing food access isn’t just about nutrition—it’s about fairness and health equity.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How easy it is for people to get healthy food and whether this affects their kidney health, especially in communities that face more challenges
  • Who participated: This was a review of existing research, so it looked at studies involving thousands of people across different races, ethnicities, and income levels who either have kidney disease or are at risk for it
  • Key finding: People who have trouble accessing healthy foods are significantly more likely to develop kidney disease and have worse outcomes. This problem is worse for certain racial and ethnic groups and people with lower incomes
  • What it means for you: If you or someone you know struggles to find affordable, healthy food, this is an important health risk to address. Working with your doctor, community programs, or food assistance services may help protect your kidneys

The Research Details

This was a review article, meaning researchers looked at many studies published over the past 10 years about food access and kidney health. Instead of doing their own experiment, they gathered information from existing research to find patterns and connections.

The researchers focused on understanding how social factors—like where you live, how much money you have, and your background—influence what food you can buy and eat. They examined studies that looked at both healthy people and people with kidney disease to see how diet quality affected kidney function.

They paid special attention to food insecurity, which means not having reliable access to enough affordable, nutritious food. They looked at how this problem affects different communities differently, particularly those already dealing with more kidney disease.

This research approach is important because kidney disease is complicated and affected by many things beyond just what you eat. By reviewing many studies together, researchers can see the bigger picture of how food access, money, neighborhood, and health all connect. This helps doctors and public health leaders understand that fixing kidney disease isn’t just about telling people what to eat—it’s about making sure everyone can actually access healthy food.

This review was published in a respected kidney disease journal, which means experts reviewed it. However, because it’s a review of other studies rather than original research, the strength depends on the quality of the studies it examined. The researchers looked at studies from the past decade, so the information is current. The main limitation is that this type of review can’t prove cause and effect—it can only show connections between food access and kidney health.

What the Results Show

The research shows a clear connection between food access and kidney health. People who struggle to afford or find healthy foods have higher rates of kidney disease and worse outcomes when they do have kidney problems. This problem is not spread equally—certain groups face bigger challenges.

Racial and ethnic minorities, particularly Black Americans and Hispanic Americans, experience more barriers to healthy food and have higher rates of kidney disease. People with lower incomes also face these challenges more often. The research suggests these aren’t coincidences—the difficulty accessing good food contributes to worse kidney health in these communities.

Diet quality matters significantly for kidney disease. People who eat more processed foods, salt, and sugar tend to have worse kidney function. When people with kidney disease can access and eat healthier foods, their kidney function often improves and they have fewer complications.

The review also found that food insecurity—not having enough money or access to buy food—affects not just what people eat but also their overall health and ability to manage kidney disease. People struggling with food insecurity are less likely to follow special kidney-friendly diets because they’re focused on just having enough food to eat.

Cultural factors also matter. Food is connected to identity and tradition, so recommendations to change diet must respect people’s cultural backgrounds. Communities that have strong food traditions and limited access to alternatives face extra challenges in changing their eating patterns.

This research builds on earlier work showing that social factors affect health. Previous studies have shown connections between poverty and disease, but this review specifically focuses on how food access connects to kidney health. It adds to growing evidence that we can’t solve health problems just by telling people what to do—we need to address the systems that make it hard for people to access healthy options.

This is a review of other studies, so it can show connections but not prove that food access directly causes kidney disease. The studies reviewed may have different quality levels. The research mainly focuses on the United States, so results may not apply everywhere. Some communities and groups may not have been studied as much as others, so we may not fully understand their specific challenges.

The Bottom Line

High confidence: Work to improve access to healthy, affordable food in communities. Support programs that help people buy nutritious foods. Medium confidence: Healthcare providers should ask patients about food access and help connect them to resources. High confidence: Public health efforts should focus on making neighborhoods have more healthy food options, not just telling individuals to eat better.

Anyone with kidney disease or at risk for it should care about this research. People with lower incomes, people from certain racial or ethnic backgrounds, and people living in areas with limited food options should especially pay attention. Healthcare providers, community leaders, and policymakers should use this information to create better systems for food access.

Improving food access is a long-term change. It may take months to years to see improvements in kidney health after food access improves. However, diet quality can start improving within weeks of having better access to healthy foods.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly servings of fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Set a goal like ’eat 5+ servings of vegetables per week’ and log daily intake. Also track any barriers you face in accessing these foods so you can identify patterns.
  • Use the app to find local food assistance programs, farmers markets, or community gardens near you. Set reminders to visit these resources weekly. Log what healthy foods you’re able to access and plan kidney-friendly meals based on what’s available.
  • Monthly check-ins on diet quality and food access. Track whether you’re meeting your vegetable and fruit goals. Note any changes in how you feel or any lab results your doctor shares. Share this data with your healthcare team to adjust your plan if needed.

This review summarizes research about the connection between food access and kidney health. It is not medical advice. If you have kidney disease or are concerned about your kidney health, talk to your doctor or a kidney specialist. If you’re struggling to access healthy food, ask your healthcare provider about local resources, food assistance programs, or referrals to a dietitian who can help. This information is meant to help you understand research findings, not to replace professional medical guidance.